DANA POINT, Calif. -- The Padres are talking seriously with three teams -- believed to be the Braves, Cubs and Dodgers -- about star pitcher Jake Peavy, and it appears very likely that Peavy will have a new home sometime in the next few weeks. One person familiar with the talks still believes the Braves are the most likely landing spot.

"We certainly made a lot of progress in the last two, three days," Padres general manager Kevin Towers said. "There's certainly momentum toward doing a deal."

While Towers wouldn't indicate which team is leading the race for Peavy, most baseball people view the Braves as the favorite. The Cubs are also an aggressive pursuer. Towers said there is also a three-team possibility, but in any scenario Peavy lands with one of those three desired teams.

One of the interested teams is said to have suggested they'd like something resolved by Nov. 14, when the full-fledged free agency period begins. It is on that date that the Dodgers, for instance, can begin bidding on free agent pitcher CC Sabathia.

Towers said he has optimism for a trade by Thanksgiving. No matter the timetable, the smart money still appears to be on the Braves, who have the young players to get it done, both the pitching prospects and young middle infielders that would interest San Diego (Yunel Escobar, Kelly Johnson). The Padres may also trade shortstop Khalil Greene.